The injured liver induces hyperimmunoglobulinemia by failing to dispose of antigens and endotoxins in the portal system

PLoS One. 2015 Mar 31;10(3):e0122739. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0122739. eCollection 2015.

Abstract

Hyperimmunoglobulinemia is frequently observed in patients with chronic liver diseases. However, the exact mechanism underlying the high level of antibody formation is not fully understood. In our study, we provide evidence for the functional role of the liver and the stimulation of plasma cell proliferation in hyperimmunoglobulinemia. We collected sera from patients with chronic liver diseases, and the level of serum immunoglobulins in patients was examined; this was also investigated in animal models of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. An end-to-side microsurgical portacaval shunt was used to mimic liver dysfunction in rats. We used portal vein serum and inferior vena cava serum to immunize healthy rats and mice in order to confirm the function of the healthy liver in disposing of antigens and endotoxins from the gut. For the analysis of the state of plasma cell activation, plasma cells from mice were stained with PE-conjugated anti-CD138 and FITC-conjugated anti-BrdU for flow cytometry analysis. Hyperimmunoglobulinemia was observed both in patients with chronic liver diseases and in related animal models, and high plasma LPS levels were also observed. There was a significant increase in the activation and proliferation of plasma cell in mice immunized with antigens or LPS-positive serum compared with controls that were immunized with antigens and LPS-negative serum. We confirmed that the healthy liver plays an important role in disposing of antigens and endotoxins derived from the gut. Hyperimmunoglobulinemia in chronic liver diseases mainly arises due to the collateral circulation secondary to portal hypertension, gut antigens and endotoxins that bypass the liver and reach the antibody-producing cells.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antigens / metabolism*
  • Chronic Disease
  • Endotoxins / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hypergammaglobulinemia / etiology*
  • Hypergammaglobulinemia / immunology
  • Hypergammaglobulinemia / metabolism
  • Immunoglobulins / blood
  • Liver Diseases / complications*
  • Liver Diseases / immunology
  • Liver Diseases / metabolism
  • Male
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Antigens
  • Endotoxins
  • Immunoglobulins

Grants and funding

This project was supported by Key project of National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant NO. 81030041); National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant NO. 31171321, 81101622, 81201584); Special Funds for National key Sci-Tech Sepcial Project of China (Grant NO. 2012ZX10002-016, 2012ZX10002011-011); Shanghai Science and Technology Committee (Grant NO. 12431900802, 12ZR1439800, 12ZR1454200). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.